Buhay YFC: The Other Side of the Coin

We began our youths camps with very little awareness on where are we putting ourselves into. We see young people praying, singing various songs, conducting talks and facilitating activities. This may sound strange, unusual and for some even weird but we have gone through this, nakapag-camp naman tayo lahat eh.
Naranasan nating umiyak dahil sa reflection, napanga-nga at nabored sa ibang mga speakers. Hindi nakatulog dahil maraming lamok o talagang hindi lang sanay matulog sa ibang lugar. Pagdating sa talk 5 napasabi ka sa sarili mo na magpapakabait ka na sabay "pag-uwi ko mag I love you ako sa parents ko." Were very idealistic, so full of enthusiasm in "serving the Lord" through YFC then finally makakauwi narin at makakatulog ng mahimbing.
Then what's next? Oo nga pala may covenant orientation pa, doon daw ako magiging certified YFC at makukuha ang ID ko. O natapos na ang covenant orientation, anu uli ang susunod? Ay teka magpacamp tayo! So may Youth Camp training and Household leaders training diba? Diba ito yung may lokohan na workshop? Yung tipong aasarin ang bagong service team tapos sasabihing, "dapat ready tayo sa mga ganitong sitwasyon" tapos hindi naman pala ganun ka lala, exaggerated lang
Then yehey! Camp na. Magiging service team na ako. Start muna ako sa prayer warrior kasi shy type ako. Ahw ang boring pala nito, paulit-ulit nalang ang rosary. Dapat next camp sa music min ako. Maganda din yung camp servant kasi panay lakad-lakad lang tsaka kitchen warrior kasi nasa kusina lang.
After several years, ininvite na maging speaker. Hmp ayoko nyan baka mapahiya ako. Doon nalang ako ulit sa DGL o sa kahit anu basta wag lang yan. How about sharer nalang? Wala naman akong ma ishare eh (kalokohan lang alam ko haha :p). Eh magdasal nalang? hmp sila nalang, mas magaling sila magdasal eh...
Kaya ayun, camp after camp ganun nalang. Nakakapagod na. Pahinga muna ako, kaya naman nila yan eh. Babawi nalang ako sa next activity.
Pagdating ng next activity. Ininvite ulit. Pero pass muna, baka next time nalang busy ako eh, may exams kami bukas.
Lumipas ang maraming activity di parin ako pumunta. Nagtatago nalang, umiiwas, at nahihiya. miss ko na ang YFC pero nahihiya na ako. Hanggang tingin nalang ako nito. Then nag college nalang at nag-graduate wala na talaga. Goodbye YFC
End of story

Giving and Receiving

Gospel:

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Luke 14:12-14.

Reflection:

Just yesterday, my family were invited to a birthday celebration of my nephew and after such banquet we had some sincere discussions with my uncle. He somehow shed light into the overly used principle related to giving. Many people adheres to giving to charity because it will somehow return to you in much bigger amount or quantity. My uncle then asked a question; do you give because of the reward/ return that can surely benefit you? Or do you give out of love?
This simply opened up the idea of various motives in giving. We might see other people generously giving but have always expected something in return and for some who might be seen as a generous giver but in reality alms to that person's perspective.
I think the Gospel is simply telling us to be a generous  giver and at the same time a generous lover. Giving without expecting any in return and giving even small amounts but with enormous love.

Imprisonment

This is not to discourage our brothers and sisters in availing apple products or buy any gadget but I would post it to remind people of their priorities and potentials.

A lot of us are quite aware of the technology we are enjoying. From the convenience of our computers, cellphones and other machines enabling us to accomplish so many tasks with lesser effort. Even in our Youth for Christ community we evangelize through the use of social media such as facebook, twitter, instagram. We also spread inspirational videos through youtube and other similar sites.
Just like any other things, it also has its drawbacks. Numerous people nowadays including our fellow brothers and sisters tend to be imprisoned with the technology they are enjoying. Some tend to build up their self-worth by constantly keeping up with the new trend in the gadget world. Some tend to consider themselves as famous and having a lot of friends even if the reality says otherwise. They are isolating themselves and only interacting online without the bother to communicate in person.
What's bothering me is the distortion in some of the values which I find very important such as friendship and self-worth. Self-worth is not measured by how many friends/followers you have online neither how many likes did your recent photo have accumulate. It's real foundation is actually the goodness you have in yourself, your talents, skills and how you've used them for the good.

Hope this picture would also remind us the various imprisonment we have over earthly things.

About Faith

The video simply reminded me of the things I do even if other people sees it as irrelevant and worthless. Just like the person in video, he continued helping without even expecting any in return yet in the end, everything seems to have taken their respective place and worked out for our hero.

SEND ME by Liveloud

intro:
C - G - Am - F (4x)



Verse:  (C - G - Am - F)
C      G  Am                 F
here i am coming before your throne
C            G    Am                 F
your servant Lord waiting to do your will
C      G  Am                F
here i am giving my life to you
C            G     Am             F
your soldier Lord, ready for your command



Chorus: (C - G - Am - F)
C       G               Am        F
send me Lord and i will go to the place you have prepared
C       G               Am             F
send me Lord and i will speak with the power of your word
C       G               Am                F
send me Lord and i will seek your awesome love and majesty
C    G       Am    F        G
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...
(C - G - Am - F)



Verse2: (C - G - Am - F)
C      G  Am               F
i will go wherever you may lead me
C           G         Am                 F
Your spirit Lord will be my strength and shield
C      G  Am                 F
I will go to valley high and low
C            G       Am        F
Your kingdom Lord on earth may come



Chorus2: (C - G - Am - F) 3x then do (C - G - Am - F - G)
C       G               Am        F
send me Lord and i will go to the place you have prepared
C       G               Am             F
send me Lord and i will speak with the power of your word
C       G               Am                F
send me Lord and i will seek your awesome love and majesty
C    G       Am    F
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...
C    G       Am    F        G
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...



Adlib:
F - G - Am (2x)



Bridge: (F - G - Am) 3x then do (F - G - Am - G)
F           G      Am
Though I fear what lies beyond the horizon
F           G     Am
I'll be brave for you oh Lord are with me
F          G   Am
There may be a mountain of oppresion
F                     G              Am  G
I will fall for it is your love that overcomes



Chorus3: (repeat chorus3 2x) (C - G - Am - F)
C       G               Am        F
send me Lord and i will go to the place you have prepared
C       G               Am             F
send me Lord and i will speak with the power of your word
C       G               Am                F
send me Lord and i will seek your awesome love and majesty
C    G       Am    F        G
Lord send me, Lord send me, i will go...

TRAILBLAZIN

Intro: E - F#m - A - B

I. (do intro c.p.)
Ahead of the pack keeping up the pace
Together we blaze in God's amazing grace
Paving the trail though at times in may seem frail
We will pursue for the promise is true

Chorus:
         C#m         B
We'll be blazin' for God
        C#m          B  
We will fire up the trail
        F#m     G#m      A 
Zooming onwards with the spirit
     G#m     F#m     B
Make way for here we come
         (intro chords) 
We'll be trailblazin'

II. (do intro c.p.)
Riding with the spirit his move is strong and fast
Be ready anytime don't be left behind
Changing old records setting the standards
Live to the fullest for God deserves the best
(Chorus)

Bridge:
F#m - G#m - A       
For those who follow the trail be faithful all the way
F#m - G#m - A - B           
Strengthening what we've started never giving up when the road is rough

 (chorus)

REACHING by Monica Ponce

Verse:
F#m - E - A
Loving God, You have chosen me 
To love You, to serve You
And I can hear Your voice calling out to me
My Father of awe and wonder


Pre chorus:
B - F#m - C#m - B - F#m - A
You are the holy king of everlasting glory
Take me and lead me to Your cross and to eternity

Chorus:
E - F#m - A
You're reaching, reaching out to me Lord
I can feel your presence dwelling inside of me
I'm seeking, seeking ways to break free
From my sins and failures and praying for Your mercy


F#m - E - A
You're reaching, You're reaching, You're reaching out to me
I'm seeking, I'm seeking, ways to break free

Bridge: B - C#m - A
So if I break into a million pieces
I pray to You my Jesus
Lord, make me anew

Credits to: http://cfcyfc.forumatic.com

POUR AND FLOW by Bimbo Yerro

Verse:
E-G#m-A-B
My hope was built in You Lord
There is nothing more I want
My joy is found in Your grace
I desire to remain in Your arms

Chorus:
A-C#m-E-B
Let the heavens sing and the sky stretch wide
As your mercy falls on me
Oh revive my soul and Lord make me new
Let my heart rejoice in You

Bridge:
A-B-E 
Holy Spirit pour and flow
Come and rush into my soul

Credits to : http://cfcyfc.forumatic.com

YOU ARE KING by AJ Manalaysay, Ayana Glann Carlos, and Marianne Alvarez

Verse 1 : E-A
The height of the mountains
The depths of the earth
Are found in Your mighty hands
We're found in Your mighty hands

Verse 2 : E-A
All of creation
lift their eyes in adoration
As we rest into the splendor
of Your holiness

Pre-Chorus:
C#m – A – E – B
We'll come into Your heavenly courts
Our heart as an offering (2x)

Chorus:

E – A – C#m – A – E 
You are King
We will go at Your command
With our cross we will follow
Rise in Your mighty hand


(Repeat Verse I, Pre-chorus, Chorus, Bridge)

Bridge: B – C#m – A
With Your body
And Your blood
We overcome (4x)

(Repeat Chorus)

Tiwala sa sarili

Marami sa atin ang natatakot at ayaw magsalita sa harapan sa pangambang magkamali, mabulol, o mapagtawan. Kaya naman mas pinipli na lang nating manahimik at tila walang pakialam sa mga nangyayari sa paligid.
Marami din ang animo'y gustong magtago at lumayo sa sangkatauhan sa paniniwalang wala silang alam o silbi sa lipunan. Sa kabilang dako, may iilan din ang tila lumaki na ang mga ulo dahil sa mga pag-aari, abilidad at kagandahan nila.
Anu nga ba ang ibig-sabihin ng pagkakaroon ng tiwala sa sarili at paano ito maaabot?
Ngunit bago natin yan sagutin, tignan muna natin ang mga ginagawa na ng karamihan upang tumaas kuno ang "confidence" nila.
Kung mapapansin niyo, kung anu-ano na ang ginagawa ng karamihan upang tumaaas lang ang tiwala nila sa sarili. May nagpapakulay ng buhok, nagpapagupit ayon sa uso, nagpapabraces sa ngipin, nagsusuot ng mga makukulay at mamahaling damit, bumibili ng makabagong gadgets, nagpaparamihan ng likes sa facebook at followers sa twitter at kung anu-ano pa. Wala namang masama sa pagkakaroon ng lahat ng ito pero halimbawa, tanggalin natin ito lahat sayo, may matitirang confidence pa ba, o baka naman maubos na lahat?
Ang tiwala sa sarili ay galing sa positibong tingin sa sarili, sa kakayahan, sa mga taong nakapalibot sayo, sa mga alam at magagandang pananaw sa buhay. Subalit kung ngayon palang ay pangit, bobo at walang silbi na ang tingin mo sa sarili, kahit anu pang retoke ang gawin mo, mananatiling kulang at negatibo parin ang confidence mo.
Mahalagang malaman na ang confidence ay dapat manggaling mismo sa sarili mo, hindi yan maipapasa o maibigay galing sa iba. Marahil ay pwede kang tulungan ng mga kakilala mo ngunit sa kabila ng lahat, ikaw parin ang magdedesisyon para sa sarili mo.
Sa mga pagkakataong ikaw ay hinihimok upang magsalita sa harap, gamitin mo ang inilaang panahon upang maihanda ang sarili. Sa pamamagitan ng maayos na paghahanda, makakatiyak kang tama ang mailalahad mo sa manonood.
Huwag kang mabahala kung makaramdam ka ng kaba o takot kasi kahit ang mga pinamagagaling ay nakakaramdam din ng mga ganyan. Kahit yung mga taong tinitingala mo sa larangan ng public speaking ay kinahabahan din.
Kung umabot ka naman sa sitwasyong ika'y napagtawanan, huwag panghinaan ng loob dahil dumadaan ang lahat diyan. Ang mapagtawanan din ay implikasyon na ang manonood ay nakikinig sa iyo.
Subalit kung nagawa mo na ang lahat upang hugutin ang lahat ng iyong tiwala sa sarili pero ikaw ay nabigo, baka naman may nalimutan kang isang napaka importanteng bagay, ang pananalig at pagdarasal sa Panginoon.

Against the Odds

Its been a while now since my last post. For now, I'll just be sharing this video I happened to watch after browsing facebook.

Judgmental Test

Being judged or being judgmental might be one of the most common source of conflict and misunderstanding. However the problem may rise on whether we have really judge or is it something else.

While I do consider myself as a judgmental person, I came to realize this thought that all of us whether old, young, professional or out of school have attached meanings to various words, gestures and things we encounter. This may be the result of a social norms or how other people describe it to us and its not a sin nor we are to be blamed for that. With all of these meanings, its inevitable for us to filter the thought/idea attached to a certain word when we happen to read or hear it. For example, when we hear the word dog or cat, some might say it's a pet or perhaps others would consider them ferocious but then again, its not a sin because it had been imprinted in us.

Now saying ones a judgmental person starts by simply stating a notion or first impression you have for her/him because in the first place, we do render our first impression to everyone. However, if one sticks to that particular idea of that same person, then I believe one now becomes judgmental, especially when that someone doesn't even bother to ask questions as to why and how he/she came to be.

Now before you say someone is judgmental, how about asking that very question to yourself. :)

Good day and advance happy weekend!

What Excuse?

This Good Friday, many reflections and realizations have taken place inside my head. Many of them came from witnessing and hearing other people's testimony of sacrifice, love, hope and faith. These reflections includes one of my drive to continue believing even if the world shouts to refrain from believing in God due to many crimes, tragedies and death covering the whole world.

Seeing all these survivors from various tragedies that have happened in the Philippines including those who survived typhoon Yolanda and the destructive earthquake in Bohol makes my heart cryout in pain for their loss and at the same time, shout to the world how we are loved by the Lord. These people who have lost so much; shelter, clothing, food and loved ones still continues to have faith in the Lord. All of them who experienced traumatic pain and overwhelming odds managed to cling to Almighty God and found strength in Him to move forward and build their lives from almost nothing.

With that being said, what excuse do we have in not believing? We who might have a recent break-up with our girlfriends/boyfriends, who might have lost to a computer game, we who are being troubled of not eating in a fancy restaurant, we who couldn't style our hairs right or who have received a failing grade, what excuse can we come up to somehow validate our actions in continuously sinning and saying the Lord is without worth?

As we continue to be in solemnity of this Lenten season, let us reflect of all of these things and the unconditional love of the Lord. Let us offer prayers and for just this time deviate from our daily routines to make way for the Holy Spirit to enter our hearts.

Dare to be Different

Almost everything around us has already deviated from its most basic sense. Many things have lost its importance to the society and even its resemblance to people. We can observe this tragedy by simply observing our surroundings and looking at those ordinary events in our lives. We can see a very poor quality of education not just brought by the educational system but also a result of irresponsible parenthood, poor quality of living and many more. Now that is the most obvious and perhaps, all of us are very aware of that. But as we dig deeper, we can probably consider that even our literature suffers the same condition. We have mainstream movies and albums that are only produced for profit's sake. On top of that, we have a stained justice system presumed to be fueled by money and power. Another thing that is very disturbing is the diminished essence of faith. Many believers now tend to practice their faith only as part of tradition without any experience or encounter with the holy.

As we internalize all of these things, maybe we are already thinking that this is hopeless, or we just do not care. But as we go back to the identities we have as YFC, we are then challenged to make a difference; to be excellent, to be a champion of the poor, to be missionaries, to be single-minded for God, to be patriotic, be 100% free and be a source of unity in the family. Though many have already forgotten these identities, I would slap it again to everyone and constantly remind you that the moment we entered our youth camp, the direction of our lives was already redirected towards God and by being closer to Him, we are also called to possess those traits.

BELOVED by Kirby Llaban

Intro: E-A-E-A
Dbm7 - B/Eb - E - Bsus - A9(Hold)

Verse 1:
       E             Bsus    A9
Redeemer of all mankind
  Dbm           Bsus
Born in a manger
  A9
Raised as a carpenter
  Dbm        Bsus       A9
Oh my King, we come to ponder

Verse 2:
  E         Bsus         A9
Son of our God, Most High
   Dbm            Bsus
Obeying the Father
 A9
Destined to suffer
 Dbm        Bsus     A9    A9
All of these we come to ponder

Pre-Chorus
            Dbm7        Bsus    A9
Cause who am I, that you should die for my sins?
         Dbm7    B/Eb    A9(Hold)            A9
Cause everyday, as I pray I thank you Lord for saving me

Chorus:
   Dbm7 - Bsus  A9        Dbm7-E         Bsus
Beloved........... Son of God. Oh Jesus,     we worship You! (2x)
    Dbm7   Bsus              F#m
All glory be to the One. Father, Spirit, Son.


Coda:
Dbm7       Bsus                Dbm7
On the cross you said, "Woman, Behold your Son"
 A9             Dbm7
Son, Behold Your Mother"
       Bsus             A9
And with Mary we come to build Your Church
    F#m7        E/Ab        A9(Hold)
May Your Kingdom come on Earth

Credits to Youtube Uploader: ehperoles

A Thought of Pride

Have you ever looked down a person before? Maybe its due to his/her appearance, capability whether he/she is mentally challenge or simply obtains very low grade. Other than that, it could be the lifestyle they have. Perhaps one would say this is naturally occurring among men to be judgmental or simply be a critic to others, however, if we look at it closely, it will still boil down to how you see yourself.

Even until now, I haven't noticed a person with a low projection of his/herself criticize others. No matter how superior that low esteemed person might be, he/she would not even talk about the weaknesses and failures of others. From this standpoint we can establish that those who are full or partially full of themselves are the ones who have the guts to talk about others. And thus, we can conclude that pride is truly at work here.

Just like the story of the tax collector and the pharisee when they were at the temple offering. the latter was able to make some criticisms to the former due to his pride. And as what Jesus mentioned in that story, the one who is more deserving to be in heaven was the tax collector who simply accepted that he have done something wrong.

A Happy Mood

Its been a while since my last article and until now, I can't manage to write something that will somehow attract people.
I just decided to make this one just to express how grateful am I to all of our teachers this semester, by the way, I finished our last exam just this afternoon so right now, its the start of my official summer break :).
Anyhow, this semester might be the toughest of them all so far with so many requirements and the grades we need to catch up. Not to mention all of the extra curricular activities that I also need to consider. It was indeed an exhausting journey yet the reward is much much bigger. This coming April 4, I will be flying to Palawan together with our brother's and sister's in Christ to be part of the ICON Revival. This will be my second International conference and I am very excited.

I guess that will be all for now. This write-up is just to somehow relieve my stress and express how grateful am I to my friends, classmates, family and of course, to our Lord Almighty.

Kitakits sa PALAWAN Kapatid!

Daily Gospel: February 24, 2014

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.
He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"
Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.
Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so."
He said to them in reply, "O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me."
They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth.
Then he questioned his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He replied, "Since childhood.
It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Jesus said to him, " 'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith."
Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!"
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, "Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!"
Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, "He is dead!"
But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.
When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, "Why could we not drive it out?"
He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayer."

Mark 9:14-29.  

Credits to: Dailygospel.org

Daily Gospel: February 23, 2014

Jesus said to his disciples: «You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:38-48.  

Credits to: DailyGospel.org

Daily Gospel: February 22, 2014

Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets."
He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

- Matthew 16:13-19

A Move To Challenge

This video simply amazes me on how other people bravely express their creativity and deliver the truth behind the practices that are rampant in our society. As Patriots of our country let us try to look into this video and be equipped with the sensitivity we need in order to see a better view on what really is corruption.

Daily Gospel: February 12, 2014

Jesus summoned the crowd again and said to them, «Hear me, all of you, and understand.
Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.")
When he got home away from the crowd his disciples questioned him about the parable.
He said to them, "Are even you likewise without understanding? Do you not realize that everything that goes into a person from outside cannot defile,
since it enters not the heart but the stomach and passes out into the latrine?" (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
But what comes out of a person, that is what defiles.
From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder,
adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.
All these evils come from within and they defile."
Mark 7:14-23.

Daily Gospel: February 11, 2014

After making the crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and tied up there.
As they were leaving the boat, people immediately recognized him.
They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was.
Whatever villages or towns or countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it were healed.

- Mark 6:53-56

A Generation of Corrupt

Corruption might be one of the most rampant activities here in our country and its already a fact that all of us are suffering because of it. If you try to ask one Filipino on who to blame, many would simply say its the politicians, the police and everyone who holds authority and power. But another question should be raised, are we really that guilt-free?

Last Monday, I attended a general assembly wherein the person who gave the supposedly inspiration message gave us short background and details about corruption in the simplest sense.

She started by narrating an incident where they happen to buy some construction materials in a local hardware and after securing the materials and paying it, the cashier asked them on what amount should be written in the official receipt. She also added the confidence of the cashier upon telling that as if its commonly done. From that concrete manifestation of corruption, she then concluded that corruption is so rampant and as of the moment, its no longer necessary to hide it.

She also added that the simplest act such as becoming late even for the fact that the time of arrival was agreed-upon was indeed a form of corruption especially when someone came there ahead of time and you arrived a couple of hours late. In that given instance, you already stole someone's precious time. The one who's punctual might have used his/her time for another productive thing, but instead he/she wasted it simply because your late.

While taking all of those in, I was moved into reflection and I started to recall all of those instances where I did in fact committed corruption. Some obvious circumstance would be keeping the change whenever the cashier gave me excess, or taking advantage of the resources of other people. Even cheating in the classroom is a form of corruption. Another would be borrowing someone's things and not returning it in due time, taking advantage of the so called "bugs", "glitch", "hack" in computers is also a form of corruption.

As you can see, wherever we turn to, we can indeed name such acts. And right now, I am pretty sure you can already count how many corrupt acts you did commit today or perhaps in the past week. With that, I believe you already know where to start the fight against corruption. Yes, you're right. It should start with you. For again, Integrity starts with I.

I just hope that this simple article would really open our eyes to a broader and simplest sense of corruption. and many many many thanks and credits to Ma'am Beth Arcena Director of the Arrupe office of social formation, Ateneo de Davao University for simply giving that message to all of us.

Let it Go

Well upon playing repetitively the song "Let it Go" from Frozen it simply came to me that indeed we should let our skills, talents and art skyrocket to the heavens.
I usually see people who hides their God-given gift due to pressure and fear. The pressure from people whether one could reach their expectation and fear where to go afterward.

Even myself is subject to these pressure and sometimes I simply decide to be just like most people who doesn't bother challenge the system, and be a voiceless looser who keeps enduring everything until such time that I am get used to it.
As what Frozen wants to instill in us, we should try developing our talents in the light of love than be plainly succumbed into darkness and fear. Allow ourselves to let it go and also be accountable to the results :)

Self-Confidence - Reflection

²¹ Humility deserves honor and respect, but a low opinion of yourself leads to sin. - Sirach 4:21

Its been a long time since I have updated this blog of mine and the embarrassing part would be the last article was just a copy pasted bible verse.

The very thing that comes in my mind upon reading the verse above would simply be a suggestion that one should be humble and at the same time confident in his/herself. Oftentimes, the one who is humble deserves praises and respect yet again as mentioned in the bible, its not about it all of a lot of people are truly humble yet they also have a very low opinion of one self. Now you might be asking, how can we achieve humility and still be confident about ourselves.

For me, the first value that one should develop would be self-confident. Achieving such should begin with identifying your capabilities and strengths. Many people who thinks they are low also believes they do not have any unique ability at all which is completely the opposite. Try exploring many things even if you fail for such approach will surely lead you to the one your good at.

The second step would be establishing your humility. I believe this is the hardest part for the nature of most human person is indeed full of pride. I do even admit that I have humility issues :(. Anyways, allow me to continue. Humility as defined in wikipedia is an act or posture of lowering oneself in relation to others. This might sound simply but applying it in real life is really difficult considering that you're already successful in the first part. Aside from simply acknowledging your abilities above, we should also acknowledge that there will always be someone greater than us and there will always be room for learning and improvement.

Again, those were just simple inputs with very limited details in relation to the verse I have mentioned. And as a conclusion, I believe that a true humble person is someone who has the capacity to do many things or even a particular thing yet he/she simply act and finishes a job without shouting to the world that its his/her accomplishment.

Good night everyone :)